Covering topics on religion, philosophy and life, this blog attempts to make biblical truths simple for the average believer. As porridge is soft to aid digestion, so the blog contents are easily understood.
However, there is also meaty stuff for those who aspire to go deeper. The relevance of the Bible in our daily life (areas such as finances, sex, marriage, health and emotional healing) is also dealt with.

Pages

Monday, 29 October 2012

WISE AS SERPENTS

Serpents,
creatures which personify Satan, are cunning and devious. It was a serpent
which tempted Eve and subsequently brought about the downfall of man in the
Garden of Eden.

Jesus,
who sent out the twelve disciples on a mission to reach out to their fellow men
specifically told them: “Here I am sending you out like sheep with wolves all round
you; so be as wise
as serpents and yet as harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

*

They were reminded that people may shut the door on them, oppose
or persecute them. But they were not supposed to retaliate. God, who was constantly
on their side, would vindicate them. They need not fight their own battles.

Isn’t
it strange that believers are exhorted to be like these slithering, elusive
animals? But we are not to be evil like serpents. We are told to emulate snakes with respect to just one of its characteristics – wisdom.

In what
areas of our lives should we grow in wisdom?

First, we should be wise up by preparing
ourselves against deception. Jesus
warns that deception will be a prominent
feature during the end times (The
Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24).

Believers
have to be wise – in fact, extremely vigilant and discerning – if they want to
stand up against deception in these last days. Satan is like a roaring lion who
seeks to devour the weak and unwary (1 Peter 5:8).

And even theelect – supposedly mature leaders
– can be deceived. If leaders are deceived, don’t you think the flock will fare
even worse?

“For
many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and willdeceivemany”
(Matthew 24:5).

“For
false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and
wonders to deceive, if possible, even
the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

That is why it is so
important to go back to basics. Be like the Bereans:

“Now
the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness
and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul
said was true” ( Acts 17:11).

“Dear
friends, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from
God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Second, we should live circumspectly – with
a sense of destiny in mind. We
should seek to discover our primary calling
and purpose in life:

“Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as
men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make
the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be
vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God”(Ephesians 5: 15-17).

Third, we should live with
a sense of urgency– in light of Christ’s second coming like the ten virgins
who had oil in their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13). We should be on our toes and pull
up our socks, spiritually speaking. We cannot depend on the spiritual highs and
experiences of yesteryear. How has our relationship with God been recently? Has
it been vibrant and fervent? The oil in the lamps is likened to the Holy
Spirit. Are we filled with the Spirit?

Fourth, how have we been using
our time, talents and resources? Is it for
the advancement of God’s kingdom?

Lastly, we should conduct
ourselves wisely towards outsiders and be ready to give an account to those who
need to hear the Good News:

“Conduct yourselves
wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech
always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to
answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

“Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to
explain the hope you have in you” (1 Peter 3:15b).

So there are many different ramifications to the phrase 'wise as serpents'.

*We see a
parallel here in the Parable of the Unrighteous Steward (Luke 16: 1-13). Though both
the serpent and steward are evil, we can learn much from them in the areas of
wisdom and shrewdness, respectively.

Jesus
commended the steward for his shrewdness: “For the children of this world are considerably more shrewd in dealing
with their contemporaries than the children of light.”

In essence,
we are told to learn positive things from evil characters – both the serpent and steward – and use
what we have learnt for noble goals.